3 Must-Have Fitness Essentials for a Sizzling Summer 2025
Get ready for summer 2025 with these three essential fitness items that will elevate your workout routine and keep you motivated all season long.
Published: June 10, 2025
Choosing the right fitness tracker can make a significant difference in how you monitor your running performance and overall health. With so many options available, it’s important to find devices that offer accurate data, comfort, and features tailored to your needs. In this article, you’ll discover two standout fitness trackers designed to help you optimize your training, track your progress, and improve your wellness throughout 2025.
We focused on devices that provide accurate health and fitness data, ease of use, comfort during long runs, and battery life that supports your active lifestyle. We also considered user feedback to ensure reliability and practical features like sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and compatibility with smartphones. These trackers stand out for their ability to help you understand your body better and make informed decisions about your training and recovery.
If you're looking for a fitness tracker that goes beyond just counting steps, the WHOOP 4.0 might be exactly what you need. It’s designed to keep tabs on your heart rate, sleep quality, recovery, and overall strain throughout the day — all without a screen or constant buzzing distractions. You wear it all day and night, and it quietly collects data to help you understand how your body is doing and what it needs. Whether you’re tracking your runs, workouts, or just trying to improve your sleep, WHOOP gives you personalized insights that can actually help you make smarter choices. Plus, the rechargeable battery pack you wear on your wrist means you don’t have to take it off to charge, which is super convenient. It’s perfect if you want a minimalist, no-fuss tracker that’s focused on your health and performance rather than notifications or flashy features.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
✓ Long battery life with on-the-go charging |
✗ No display might feel limiting if you want quick glance info |
✓ Accurate sleep and heart rate tracking |
✗ Band can be stiff initially and may need time to soften |
✓ Minimalist design with no screen or notifications |
✗ Subscription required for full features |
✓ Comfortable for continuous wear |
✗ Some users report occasional inaccuracies in calorie counts |
✓ Insightful app with personalized health tips |
People really appreciate how WHOOP focuses on meaningful data like recovery and strain instead of just steps or calories. The battery life and comfort get a lot of praise, and many find the app easy to navigate. Some mention the band takes a little breaking in but softens up nicely. Overall, it’s seen as a solid choice if you want deep health insights without the noise of a traditional smartwatch.
🗣️ Terrance H.
Great health and fitness tracker overall! Tracks much better than my old Pixel watch, and I appreciate that it prioritizes battery life over a display -- hoping v5 will be even more compact! The app is really good, although I guess it has to be since the device has no display. I wear mine daily and have no issues with durability after about 10 months of use. I would recommend a bicep band or something else to give your wrist a break. The band it ships with is nice, but does get funky after a while. I stopped wearing mine in the shower, which helped, but I'd also consider getting a second band to switch things up. Lastly, HSA! I originally had a trial with Whoop, but ended up buying on Amazon to use my HSA card to pay for it. You can do the same on Whoop's site, but you'll have to reimburse yourself -- so super nice to be able to use your card on Amazon.
🗣️ Terry S.
I have been wearing this for two weeks and I have to say I really like it. Initially the free band that comes with it is stiff and scratchy and you just have to hang with it for a few days and a few showers until it finally softens up. I did not see any reason to pay another $50 for a different band and I am glad I didn't after this one softened up and now is comfortable. The data that I get is spot on and is allowing me to track what I needed to. I primarily bought this for the sleep tracking. I wear a Garmin Venu 3 and have had an Apple Watch Ultra and all of the other Apple Watches and it is more accurate than any of them in my opinion.
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
Wearing Comfort |
Easy |
App Navigation |
Moderate |
Charging Process |
Easy |
Setup |
Easy |
While WHOOP is designed primarily for fitness and health tracking, its focus on recovery and sleep makes it useful for anyone looking to improve overall wellness. It’s less about casual step counting and more about understanding your body’s needs, so it works well for serious athletes and health-conscious individuals alike.
Current Price: $239.00
Rating: 3.9 (total: 1846+)
Buy Now
If you want a fitness tracker that’s a bit different from the usual wristbands, this smart ring from EarthMama might catch your eye. It’s super slim and lightweight, so you barely notice you’re wearing it, which is great if you don’t like bulky devices on your wrist. It tracks your heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure, and even sleep quality all day and night. Plus, it automatically detects over 15 types of workouts, including running and swimming, so it’s pretty handy for keeping tabs on your fitness without fiddling with settings. The gesture controls are a neat bonus — you can snap photos or control music with a simple tap or wave. It’s waterproof too, so you don’t have to worry about taking it off when you hit the pool or shower. Whether you’re logging daily steps or pushing your running goals, this ring fits right in without getting in the way.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
✓ Ultra-thin and lightweight design |
✗ Some users report occasional connectivity issues |
✓ Comprehensive health monitoring including blood pressure |
✗ Limited display means you rely on the app for details |
✓ Multiple sport modes with automatic detection |
✗ Mixed reviews on durability over time |
✓ Long battery life with fast charging |
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✓ Waterproof for everyday wear and swimming |
Users like how this ring blends health tracking with convenience and style. The accuracy of the sensors and the ease of use get a lot of nods, especially from those who want detailed data without bulky gadgets. Some mention the app is straightforward, making it easy to check your stats anytime. It’s a solid pick if you want a fitness tracker that’s low-profile but still packed with features.
🗣️ Copperwynd
Impressed with how well it works and easy to use. Good value
🗣️ John Ludemann
Great health and fitness tracker overall! Tracks much better than my old Pixel watch, and I appreciate that it prioritizes battery life over a display -- hoping v5 will be even more compact! The app is really good, although I guess it has to be since the device has no display. I wear mine daily and have no issues with durability after about 10 months of use.
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
Wearing Comfort |
Easy |
App Setup |
Moderate |
Charging |
Easy |
Gesture Controls |
Moderate |
This ring works well for runners and fitness enthusiasts who want detailed health insights without the bulk of a watch. It’s waterproof and supports multiple sports, so you can wear it during swims, runs, or even yoga sessions. The gesture controls add a fun, hands-free element that’s handy beyond workouts.
Current Price: $129.99
Rating: 3.4 (total: 4+)
Buy NowWhen deciding between the WHOOP 4.0 and the EarthMama Smart Ring, you should think about what features matter most to you as a runner. The WHOOP 4.0, priced at $239.00 USD, focuses heavily on continuous health monitoring, recovery, and strain tracking with a subscription model, making it ideal if you want detailed insights into your sleep and recovery patterns. It’s minimalist with no screen, so you’ll rely on the app for data. On the other hand, the EarthMama Smart Ring offers a sleek, ultra-thin design without any subscription fees and covers heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure, and more, with 30-day battery life and gesture controls. It’s great if you want a discreet tracker that also syncs easily with your phone. Consider battery life, comfort, data accuracy, and whether you prefer a band or a ring when making your choice.
You’ll find that both devices offer solid tracking, but there are some differences to keep in mind. The WHOOP 4.0 is praised for its detailed recovery and strain data, but some users have noted that its calorie burn estimates can be lower than other devices like Apple Watch or Garmin, sometimes by 20-40%. Heart rate tracking is generally reliable but may lag during very intense workouts. The EarthMama Smart Ring claims 30% more accurate calorie calculations and auto-detects multiple fitness modes, which can be handy for runners who cross-train. However, since it’s a newer product with fewer reviews, you might want to test it yourself to see how it fits your accuracy needs. Overall, no tracker is perfect, so use the data as a helpful guide rather than an absolute measure.
To get the most out of either tracker, you’ll want to wear it consistently, including during sleep, since recovery data is key to improving performance. For the WHOOP 4.0, remember it doesn’t have a display, so you’ll check your stats on the app. Its battery pack charges separately and quickly, so you can keep it on without interruption. You might also want to consider a secondary band for comfort or to switch out when it gets worn. With the EarthMama Smart Ring, its slim design means you can wear it all day and night comfortably, even in water, thanks to its IP68 rating. Make sure to keep the ring charged with its magnetic dock, especially before long runs or travel. For both, syncing regularly with your smartphone ensures your data is up to date, and reviewing trends over time will help you adjust your training and recovery wisely.
Both the WHOOP 4.0 and the EarthMama Smart Ring offer unique benefits depending on what you value most in a fitness tracker. If you want a comprehensive health and performance monitoring system with detailed recovery insights, the WHOOP 4.0 is a solid choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a sleek, minimalist device that covers essential health metrics without a subscription fee, the EarthMama Smart Ring is worth considering. Either way, investing in one of these trackers can help you stay motivated, track your progress, and ultimately improve your running performance and overall wellness.
| WHOOP 4.0 with 12 Month Subscription | Smart Ring for Women Men | |
|---|---|---|
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| Rating | 3.9/5 (1,846 reviews) | 3.4/5 (4 reviews) |
| Highlights | Wearable health tracker with continuous monitoring, performance optimization, heart rate tracking, and sleep improvement. | Fitness tracker with heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure, sleep monitoring, and gesture controls. |
| Pros | Great health tracking, long battery life, minimalist design. | Sleek design, no subscription fee, waterproof. |
| Cons | Inaccurate calorie tracking, requires subscription, no display. | Connectivity issues, limited battery life. |
| Price | $239.00 | €49.99 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now |